One form of research that had been completed by Romulan scientists for sometime was the ability to selectively "seed" stellar coronae with high energy which results in the creation of ion storms. It is through the use of this technique that the Romulan High Command was able to dissuade the Klingon Empire from raiding their borders through the clandestine use of the Sunseed program. This ability was also used to create ion storms in order to cover the Star Empire's tracks after capturing numerous Vulcan ships in order to use the crew as part of their experiments in telepathic development. (TOSnovel: My Enemy, My Ally)